Grassa

If you’re sick and tired of carbs being unfairly maligned, show your support by downing 10 pounds of them in one sitting, which is surprisingly and somewhat dismayingly easy to do at this casual downtown noodle joint. Conceived by the same folks behind much-revered Lardo, chef Rick Gencarelli’s menu tempts with a half dozen beautiful handmade pastas like the brown butter-drenched ricotta mezzaluna, a delicate fritto misto, pasta fagioli, and fragrant garlic bread baguettes. And since nothing costs over $10, sticking up for carbs has never been so easy or affordable.

Details

Cuisine: Italian

Executive Chef: Rick Gencarelli

Owner: Rick Gencarelli

Atmosphere: Bright, high-ceilinged downtown pasta spot, with a few booths and communal tables that look onto the busy open kitchen

Outdoor seating: No

Best Seat: Booth

Noise Level: Quiet to Boisterous

Dress Code: Casual

Bring the Kids: Yes

Parking: Street parking is metered (Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 1-7pm) and can be challenging to find

Cocktails: Six house cocktails ($6-$9)

Beer: One local microbrew, $5

Wine: A half dozen or so wines by the glass ($7-$9), 375ml ($13-$17) and 750ml ($25-$33), bottles to go are 10% off